Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense cautions, present participle cautioning, past tense, past participle cautioned
1. uncountable noun
Caution is great care which you take in order to avoid possible danger.
Extreme caution should be exercised when buying part-worn tyres.
The Chancellor is a man of caution.
2. verb
If someone cautions you, they warn you about problems or danger.
Tony cautioned against misrepresenting the situation. [VERB + against]
The statement clearly was intended to caution Seoul against attempting to block thecouncil's action again. [V n + against/about]
But experts caution that instant gratification comes at a price. [VERB that]
[Also V n that, V n to-inf]
Caution is also a noun.
There was a note of caution for the Treasury in the figures.
3. verb [usually passive]
If someone who has broken the law is cautioned by the police, they are warned that if they break the law again official action will be taken against them.
[British]
The two men were cautioned but police say they will not be charged. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: reprimand, warn, admonish, give an injunction to More Synonyms of caution
Caution is also a noun.
Liam was eventually let off with a caution.
4. verb [usually passive]
If someone who has been arrested is cautioned, the police warn them that anything they say may be used as evidence in a trial.
[British]
Nobody was cautioned after arrest. [beVERB-ed]
5.
See to throw caution to the wind
6. to err on the side of caution
More Synonyms of caution
caution in British English
(ˈkɔːʃən)
noun
1.
care, forethought, or prudence, esp in the face of danger; wariness
2.
something intended or serving as a warning; admonition
3. law, mainly British
a formal warning given to a person suspected or accused of an offence that his or her words will be taken down and may be used in evidence
4.
a notice entered on the register of title to land that prevents a proprietor from disposing of his or her land without a notice to the person who entered the caution
5. informal
an amusing or surprising person or thing
she's a real caution
verb
6. (transitive)
to urge or warn (a person) to be careful
7. (transitive) law, mainly British
to give a caution to (a person)
8. (intransitive)
to warn, urge, or advise
he cautioned against optimism
Derived forms
cautioner (ˈcautioner)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French, from Latin cautiō, from cavēre to beware
caution in American English
(ˈkɔʃən)
noun
1.
a warning; admonition
2.
a word, sign, etc. by which warning is given
3.
the act or practice of being cautious; wariness
4. US, Informal, Obsolete
a person or thing provoking notice, comment, attention, etc.
verb transitive
5.
to urge to be cautious; warn; admonish
SIMILAR WORDS: adˈvise
Word origin
ME caucioun < L cautio < cautus, pp. of cavere, to be on one's guard: see hear
More idioms containing
caution
throw caution to the wind
COBUILD Collocations
caution
extreme caution
Examples of 'caution' in a sentence
caution
Accepting a caution also involves admitting that you have committed a criminal offence.
The Sun (2017)
The figures were shocking enough without him throwing caution to the wind.
The Sun (2016)
But just six per cent of the investigations resulted in a charge or a formal caution.
The Sun (2016)
Some women we found also appear to throw caution to the wind.
The Sun (2017)
Shoppers are throwing caution to the wind too.
The Sun (2016)
Another note of caution: avoid knitted.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some experts urged caution, pointing out that the study had to rely on people's own reports of high blood pressure.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We must proceed here with great caution.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The women were interviewed in custody and have been cautioned for the offences.
The Sun (2009)
They are rarely open to counsel or caution about entering a new marriage.
Christianity Today (2000)
This caution also applies to financial matters.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The only warning or caution flag that goes up here is in the bakery.
Kowalski, Robert E The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure (1990)
Caution may yet prove the first instruction of the coach.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Spending a year studying in your chosen field seems an obvious stepping stone but experts advise caution.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We had to throw caution to the wind and we got some very good results that way.
The Sun (2006)
Anyone receiving a formal caution from police must admit the crime for which it is received.
The Sun (2012)
Underneath it is a mixture of vulnerability, caution and enthusiasm again for life.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
While managements may be keen enough, investors may urge more caution.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Critics fear VIPs could be given cautions to avoid them being identified.
The Sun (2013)
A man was cautioned over the messages.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The idea is to support innovative research into ways to use natural resources with care, caution and wisdom.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
More than half of people charged with offences of violence against the person receive a caution rather than going to court, according to government figures published yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Last year more than 90,000 serious cases and more than 200,000 other offences were dealt with by cautions and penalty notices.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quotations
You should know a man seven years before you stir his fire
Once bitten, twice shy
In other languages
caution
British English: caution /ˈkɔːʃən/ NOUN
Caution is great care taken in order to avoid danger.
The animals must be treated with extreme caution.
American English: caution
Arabic: حَذَر
Brazilian Portuguese: cautela
Chinese: 小心
Croatian: oprez
Czech: opatrnost
Danish: forsigtighed
Dutch: voorzichtigheid
European Spanish: cautela
Finnish: varovaisuus
French: prudence
German: Vorsicht
Greek: σύνεση
Italian: cautela
Japanese: 注意
Korean: 조심
Norwegian: varsomhet
Polish: ostrożność
European Portuguese: cautela
Romanian: precauție
Russian: осторожность
Latin American Spanish: cautela
Swedish: försiktighet
Thai: การตักเตือน
Turkish: önlem
Ukrainian: обережність
Vietnamese: sự thận trọng
British English: caution VERB
If someone cautions you, they warn you about problems or danger.
He cautioned against misrepresenting the situation.
Wait, though, he cautioned himself.
American English: caution
Brazilian Portuguese: advertir
Chinese: 警告
European Spanish: advertir
French: mettre en garde
German: warnen
Italian: mettere in guardia
Japanese: 警告する
Korean: 경고하다
European Portuguese: advertir
Latin American Spanish: advertir
All related terms of 'caution'
caution money
a sum of money deposited as security for good conduct, against possible debts , etc
extreme caution
Caution is great care which you take in order to avoid possible danger .
throw caution to the wind
to do something without worrying about the risks and danger involved
to throw caution to the wind
If you throw caution to the wind , you behave in a way that is not considered sensible or careful .
to err on the side of something to err on the side of caution
If you err on the side of caution , for example , you decide to act in a cautious way, rather than take risks .
to err on the side of caution to err on the side of something
If you err on the side of caution , for example , you decide to act in a cautious way, rather than take risks .
Chinese translation of 'caution'
caution
(ˈkɔːʃən)
n
(u) (= prudence) 谨(謹)慎 (jǐnshèn)
(c) (Brit, Police) 警告 (jǐnggào) (次, cì)
vt
(Brit, Police) 警告 (jǐnggào) (次, cì)
to caution sb that ... 警告某人 ... (jǐnggào mǒurén ... )
to caution sb against sth/ against doing sth警告某人某事/防止某人做某事 (jǐnggào mǒurén mǒushì/fángzhǐ mǒurén zuò mǒushì)
1 (noun)
Definition
care or prudence, esp. in the face of danger
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution in icy weather.
Synonyms
care
I chose my words with care.
discretion
This task requires the utmost discretion.
heed
He pays too much heed these days to my nephew.
prudence
He urged prudence rather than haste on any new resolution.
vigilance
a problem that requires constant vigilance
alertness
feelings of greater alertness and ability to concentrate
forethought
With a little forethought many accidents could be avoided.
circumspection
Handling difficult customers requires tact and circumspection.
watchfulness
belt and braces
carefulness
heedfulness
Opposites
daring
,
carelessness
,
recklessness
,
imprudence
,
rashness
2 (noun)
Definition
a formal warning given to a person suspected of an offence
The others got off with a caution but I was fined.
Synonyms
reprimand
He has been given a severe reprimand.
warning
He was given a severe warning from the referee.
injunction
He took out a court injunction against the newspaper.
admonition
She is full of admonitions about smoking now that she's given up.
1 (verb)
Definition
to warn or advise
He cautioned against having unrealistic expectations.
Synonyms
warn
They warned him of the dangers of sailing alone.
urge
He urged restraint on the security forces.
advise
I would strongly advise against it.
alert
I was hoping he'd alert the police.
tip off
He tipped police off on his carphone.
forewarn
The book had forewarned me of what to expect.
put you on your guard
2 (verb)
The two men were cautioned but the police say they will not be charged.
Synonyms
reprimand
He was reprimanded by a teacher.
warn
My mother warned me not to interfere.
admonish
They admonished me for taking risks with my health.
give an injunction to
proverbs
You should know a man seven years before you stir his fireOnce bitten, twice shy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of admonish
Definition
to reprimand sternly
They admonished me for taking risks with my health.
Synonyms
reprimand,
caution,
censure,
rebuke,
scold,
berate,
check,
chide,
tear into (informal),
tell off (informal),
reprove,
upbraid,
read the riot act to someone,
carpet (informal),
chew out (US, Canadian, informal),
tear someone off a strip (British, informal),
give someone a rocket (British, New Zealand, informal),
slap someone on the wrist,
rap someone over the knuckles,
bawl out (informal)
in the sense of admonition
She is full of admonitions about smoking now that she's given up.